"I have been engaged in that conspiracy carried on In the name of a Woman, if that's what you mean. And, as you are perfectly aware, with not only your consent, but approval and encouragement."
"You have been working secretly for another object," he cried angrily.
"Are you accusing the Princess Christina of treachery?"
"Your tongue is as skilful in fence as your sword," he said, smiling grimly. "But you know my meaning perfectly."
"Then pack me off to Tirnova—if you think you have proof to prove the unprovable; and at the same time show your hand to the rest of Europe. No, no, General Kolfort," I said, smiling and shaking my head, as though the thing were no more than a jest, "that cock won't fight, and you know it."
"I regard you and could deal with you as a renegade Bulgarian officer conspiring against your Prince; a crime that merits imprisonment."
"Very good and plausible, no doubt—were it not for the precaution that I have taken to let people in London know differently. But if that's to be your line, we shall have the gaols pretty full here, and you and I, General, will be able to resume our interesting conferences, hobnobbing in one of them on more equal terms than here;" and I wagged my head at him again.
The taunt enraged him. His eyes flashed fire, and a flush of wrath tinged his dried, wrinkled, parchment cheeks. He sprang to his feet and sounded the bell on his table furiously.
"I will put your devil-may-care humour to the test. You shall go to Tirnova."
"As you please," I answered, surprised now in my
